The learning for the first part of Term 2 is going to revolve around statistics. There are two parts to Statistics.
  1. Statistical Investigation where you are required to plan and conduct an investigation using the statistical enquiry cycle.
  2. Statistical Literacy where you are required to evaluate statements made by others about the findings of statistical investigations.
To be able to do this you need to have a thorough understanding of data collection, data display, data interpretation and the technical vocabulary that goes with this.

Your first task in pairs is to create a glossary that explains all of the following - with examples of how and when you would use these.

clusters, outliers, trends, multivariate data, variables, sample, surveying, patterns in data, relationships in data

tally charts, frequency tables, pictographs, bar graphs, histograms, strip graphs, pie graphs,

dot plots, stem and leaf graphs, scatterplots

box and whisker graphs

line graphs or time series data

mean, median, mode, range, interquartile range

implications, conclusions, generalisations

STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION ASSIGNMENT

Over the next four weeks you will be expected to undergo a statistical investigation based around a topic of your choice. Outlined below is the process you will need to follow if you are going to produce a successful investigation. You will be expected to complete some of this for home learning but will also be given class time to work on parts of your investigation. Good luck and remember, if you need help or just some feedback, just Ask!
Step 1:Write a question that you would like to base your statistical investigation on. Check with your teacher that your question is suitable before you go any further.
Step 2: After you have confirmed your question, write a hypothesis. A hypothesis is what you think you will find out BEFORE you actually do the investigation and WHY you think this.
Step 3: What questions am I going to ask to find out what I need to know? Decide on HOW you are going to collect your data and what questions you will need to ask to do this. Will you use a questionnaire? Will you do a survey? Check out the FIO and digital learning objects to help you write good questions for your survey/questionnaire.
Step 4: Collect your data but remember that you need to survey enough people so that you get an accurate picture and enough information to complete your investigation. Take into consideration how your sample will be fair and avoid bias/
Step 5: Once you have all of your information you will need to sort your data and group your findings together.
Step 6: Operate on the data and find the mean, median, mode and average for your data if
appropriate. Look for patterns/trends and relationships in your data. Were there any clusters or outliers? Can you comment on range/interquartile range.

Step 7: Display the data using graphs, charts, tables that are specific to the data. Use the best type of display that suits the data you have collected and analysed. You will be working on different types of graphs and tables in class so this should help you decide.
Step 8: Make statements about your results, what did you find out? Draw conclusions from the results and justify these.
Address any implications that may have arisen from your findings.
Ask the question did I find out what I needed to know or do I need to do further investigation? Report on this.


Hand in your investigation, displayed in an eye catching way by the end of week 7!